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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Carnation Lily Lily Rose by John Singer Sargent

Wow! When I asked for paintings, you all came through with some beautiful suggestions...

This John Singer Sargent is so lovely...

In the deepest shadows, I saw navy, although on another day, it could be deepest gray, or maybe something else - really good paintings are wonderful in the way they can have so many different aspects over time.

I'm embarking on a 4 by 4 that's particularly challenging: a casual wardrobe in soft and fluid navy and white. So VERY often, navy and white are crisp, and starched, and nicely pressed and snappy - which is pretty great. And I'm sure that at some point earlier in the fictional day, these lovely white dresses were immaculate and pristine, but NOT by this time of day! So this time, I'm looking for flowing, pleated, gathered, draped and lacy...

Here, I was able to find a sheer, lace-like yoke, and some shimmer too!

One of the many great things about this wardrobe is that you can indulge in lots of pretty pastel tops, as well as making sure that you have a nice core of navy and white things in soft, feminine prints and fabrics. Two different approaches to the same navy and white core!

This skirt is shown on the store site as being very "evening", but this is the kind of thing that could easily be worn during the day with sandals and a casual top, too! When you're packing, this kind of versatility is very useful.

This wardrobe gets the very prettiest flower earrings, as well as a pair of espadrilles that are NOT ordinary - lace, satin trim, and a ballet silhouette gives these the more feminine look we're after, without making them twee or unwearable.

And as an added special bonus "undercover" secret - this is what you need if you HATE to wear skirts in the warm weather - Jockey Skimmies. Imagine you took the most comfortable imaginable hosiery, and hacked them off above the knee. Light, smooth, no lines or bumps, no thighs rubbing together... Just trust me on this; you can find them here.

13 comments:

Umm. Well, you'd never steer me wrong, but the Skimmie link doesn't seem to work. :) Incredibly evocative re-creation of the John Singer Sargent painting here in this wardrobe, Janice. I just don't know how you do this!

I've always liked that painting, captures the glowing lights so beautifully. And might I add, apart from the peach, I have those colours hanging in my closet, the pink being more of a blush shade. I wish I could wear shorts, I'd love those white ones.

Is it any surprise that a) I had a poster of this painting hanging in my room as a child, and b) this wardrobe is custom-made for me!? Navy and white are definitely the neutrals I am drawn to, but I don't want to look like I'm heading out to a regatta every single day! And flowers are my ornament of choice, always! I just LOVE this!

And I hope that you're feeling well, taking it easy, and looking after yourself!

It is great how you have "prettied up" navy and white. The flow navy skirt is lovely, would be "poetic' in its movement. You make this look so easy but I imagine there are many hours of thinking, analyzing and finding the right items to put it all together.

I love this collection. I think what makes it extraordinary is the way you carried the 'edges' into some of the clothing: those blades of grass, vertical folds of fabric, etc, offset the softness of the flowery bits.

In the clothing, the straps of the navy sandal, the grid on the sweater, the near-horizontal bands on the navy Mint Velvet tank, and the vertical folds of the tunics all take wardrobe to the next level. Too often, for me, flowing and/or flowery outfits get carried away with the sweetness and start to look little-girl-laura-ashley when worn by adult women. Balancing the edges with the flowing is a particular genius of yours, Janice, among many others.

Do you paint as well as do these clothing-based-collage-art pieces we see on your blog?Sue G

Sargent is one of my favorite artists, and the colors in this collection are just gorgeous! Bold, cool colors translated into soft and flowy fabrics. Just wonderful. You do have a genius for this sort of inspired contrast.